a reflection of systems
DESCRIPTION
Book spreads for Visual Systems class.TRANSCRIPT
A Reflection of Systems
Megan E. GadientVisual SystemsSpring 2009Thomas Ockerse
Contents Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
Project 4
Project 1Patterning as System
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The Unit and B+W Grid Variations
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The Unit and B+W Grid Variations
Color Variations
Color Variations
A REflECTiOn Jennie Chong, Megan Gadient, Jess Yan While creating the module, we realized that simple concepts worked better than complex ones. in the end we chose a module that was asymetrical in design but gave the impression of symmetry. This resulted in interesting and dynamic patterns when rearranged.
We were surprised at how diverse our patterns became. in some of the arrangements the patterns seemed to create larger images. Because of this, the perceived presence of the module dissapateed once the focus was on the larger picture. Visually we were perceiving the sum of the parts together instead of viewing them as separate entitites as it is described in gestalt theory.
Color helped to create another layer of hierarchy, highlighting different forms created in the pattern and even helping to reveal new patterns in the grid. furthermore, color contributed to depth, making some of the compositions appear more three-dimensional. This allowed dynamic shifts in the perception of a singular composition.
Project 2Pro/Portion as a System:The Golden Rectangle
1.618
1
Folding
I found it interesting how the two diagonals drawn created a series of quadrangles and triangles.
CutFoldLight Fold
To th
e m
an
w
ho
pursues h
is studies
in the proper w
ay,
all geometric
constructions,
all systems of num
bers,
all duly constituted melodic
progressions, the
single ordered scheme
of all celestial
revolutions,
should disclose themselves, and disclose
themselves they will, if, as i say, a man pursues
his studies aright with his mind’s eye
fixed on their single end. As such a man
reflects, he will receive the revelation
of a single bond of natural
intenconnection between
all these problems.
dynamicA quote fro
m Plato’s Epin
omis,
991-992
Text
The text helps to emphasize the spiral created in the shape.
To th
e m
an
who pursues h
is
studies in
the
proper way, all geom
etric constructions,
all systems of num
bers,
all duly constituted melodic
progressions, the
single ordered scheme
of all celestial
revolutions,
should disclose themselves, and disclose
themselves they will, if, as i say, a man pursues
his studies aright with his mind’s eye
fixed on their single end. As such a man
reflects, he will receive the revelation
of a single bond of natural
interconnection between
all these problems.
dynamicA quote fro
m Plato’s Epin
omis,
991-992
Image and Final Product
The image helps to emphasize the triangles on the one side and the quadrangles on the other. Also, the shell is employing the golden ratio to create the spiral, thus making it pertinent to the project.
Thoughts
Experimenting played an important role in this project. Even though most pople know what the Golden Ratio is, how many people are aware that it can be broken down into quadrangles and triangles? Furthermore, the Golden Ration seems like such a perfect thing, every shape seems to fit just so, however, through my folding process, I found that some edges didn’t quite meet up perfectly, which seemed a strange anomoly. The simple methodical folding process of this project allowed for such discoveries that left me quite surprised, to be honest. While this seemed to be more of an excercise in experi-mentation and thought process rather than a realistic application, it seems to me that it is just as, if not more, useful because one must be able to take risks and experiment in order to create something original.
Project 3A Kit of Parts:The Stamp System
01
The Stampsideas
usa mathemat
ica
spaceland
94ct usa
×94ct
94ctmathematica usa
94ct
mat
hem
atic
a
The Stampsfinals
27usa mathem
atic
a
42usa mathem
atic
a
72usa mathem
atic
a
94usa mathem
atic
a
0101
text indicating value of the stamp and degree
of the angle
25pt Avenir light
line indicating measure of angle; space of cut is
based on value of stamp (27¢ stamp has a 27˚ angle
cut out)
“usa mathematica” text runs around
inner rim of circle
10pt Avenir light
The Stampsfinals
27usa mathem
atic
a
fi rst day issue; providence; april 15, 2009
94usa mathem
atic
a
fi rst day issue; providence; april 15, 2009
72usa mathem
atic
a
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
Cancellation Stampideas and Application of final
fi rst day issue; providence; april 15, 2009
fi rst day issue; providence; april 15, 2009
fi rst day issue; providence; april 15, 2009
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009lines indicating angle measures of stamps are connected at a single point.
that cluster is then copied and rotat-ed four times and gathered together at the same point
text around circle8pt Avenir light
commemorative package usa postal service april 15 2009
The Commemorative Package
A note about the Mathematica Stamp Series
Math is, perhaps, the epitome of rationalization. And so, it makes perfect sense that the Mathematica Stamp Series would follow a path of rationalization. A simple process was designed that created all of the stamps: for each cost of the stamp, the corresponding angle is removed. This is why there is a 27˚ angle taken out of the 27¢ stamp, a 42˚ angle taken out of the 42¢ stamp, a 72˚ angle taken out of the 72¢ stamp, and a 94˚ angle taken out of the 94¢ stamp. The result is a simple and refined visual perspective that reveals what mathematics is in a unique way.
mathematica
27usa mathem
atic
a
94usa mathem
atic
a
72usa mathem
atic
a
42usa mathem
atic
a
The Design Pamphlet
ideas behind the mathematica series
Math is, perhaps, the epitome of rationalization. And so, it makes perfect sense that the Mathematica Stamp Series would follow a path of rationalization. A simple process was designed that created all of the stamps: for each cost of the stamp, the corresponding angle is removed. This is why there is a 27˚ angle taken out of the 27¢ stamp, a 42˚ angle taken out of the 42¢ stamp, a 72˚ angle taken out of the 72¢ stamp, and a 94˚ angle taken out of the 94¢ stamp. The result is a simple and refined visual perspective that reveals what mathematics is in a unique way.
the stamps
27usa mathem
atic
a
94usa mathem
atic
a
72usa mathem
atic
a
42usa mathem
atic
a
01usa mathem
atic
a
text indicating value of the stamp and degree of the angle25pt Avenir light
line indicating measure of angle; space of cut is based on value of stamp (27¢ stamp has a 27˚ angle cut out)
“usa mathematica” text runs around inner rim of circle10pt Avenir light
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
lines indicating angle measures of stamps are connected at a single point.
that cluster is then copied and rotated four times and gathered together at the same point
text around circle8pt Avenir light
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
the diagrams
The Design Pamphlet
designing the mathematica series
Designing the Mathematica Series, initially seems very simple. All the circles are 7p5 in diameter, and the text runs inside the circle and ends against the 0˚ point. for the stamps, simply remove the angle from the circle that cor-responds with the cost, starting from the 0˚ point and the center of the circle. As you can see, for instance, there is a 27˚ angle taken out of the 27¢ stamp, starting at the 0˚ mark and the cen- ter of the circle. Remember to mark the angle with a .6pt black line. Unfortunately, trouble starts to occur when you reach anything above about $1.80. in this case, i would simply stop making stamps and use the amounts created together to add up to the necessary amount. While this may seem like a cheap way out, it would instead enhance the idea because one would be able to see the different stamps beside each other which would show the different angles, thus enforcing the concept.
for the cancellation stamp, you start out simply by adding the .32pt angled line with the others—all the same length—in a fan-like cluster that meets at the same point (see below).
Then that figure is copy+pasted three more times, each time rotating it 90˚ to form the outline of a circle (see below).The circle has a diameter of 10p0. The text is set 1p0 outside of the circle and starts at the 120˚ point.
Color in the stamps is kept simple. Consider a color with an approximately 50% saturation, and do not use muted colors. The colors used for the four stamps are red, green, yellow, and blue, so possibilities for the next stamps would logically be orange and purple, followed by the tertiaries—all tinted as necessary to be similar saturations. The cancellation stamp is to be kept as a simple black line drawing.
The typeface for both the stamps and the cancellation stamp is Avenir light. The numbers on the stamps are 25pt, the text on the stamps is 10pt. On the cancellation stamp, the text is 10pt.
Over all this series is meant to represent math in a methodi-cal, subtle way. follow the same methodology all the way through, and in the end, you will have a cohesive collection of Mathematica stamps.
27usa mathem
atic
a
94usa mathem
atic
a
fi rst day issue; providence; april 15, 2009
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
the cancellation stamp
72usa mathem
atic
a
fi rst day issue; providence; ap
ril 15, 2009
Thoughts
i’ve never worked as small as the size of the stamps, so this experience of scale was com-pletely new to me.
While dealing with the stamps, i knew that i wanted a very orderly method of creation, due to the size and concept. i also knew that i wanted to break away from the conventional stamp shape. That is how i came up with the idea of the angles.
for the cancellation stamp, i wanted to focus on the angle itself, since the stamp focused more on circle the angle was cut out of. So, i decided to use the line of the angles and rotated them in a circular fashion in order to create an interest-ing stamp that can be placed anywhere in rela-tion to the postage stamp.
The commemorative package and designer pamphlet were both in square forms to help echo the easily rec-ognizable geometry in the stamps, and followed a simple design pro-cess as well.
Project 4Chance as a System:lemondrops
When thinking about this project, i realized that
part of our relationship to chance involves our
exposure to it. The word exposure made me start
thinking about the weather, which we have no
control over. i started experimenting with
sun paper, and submitted it to the elements.
i started out simply wearing pieces of the paper
as documentation of the sun during a given
period of time.
After that experiment, i ended up blindly putting
lemon juice on them and setting them loose, then
gathered them at a random order.
Thoughts
i was surprised at the different results of this proj-ect. Sometimes the lemon juice came out lighter than the rest of the paper, other times darker. Some of the results seem pictoral, while others seem like simple splashes on paper. What i am most taken aback by, however, is the fact that all of them are interesting and aesthetically pleas-ing. The thought that pure chance could pro-duce such eye candy is revolutionary to me, and one i will remember forever.
Afterthoughts
Visual Systems forces you to think differently in a good way, but for the graphic design curriculum as a whole, its kind of the odd man out.
The above statement is neither a criticism nor critique of the course, but rather an observation. And that is what i feel the course, itself, is: an observation. it serves as a means to think about design differently, through exploration and observation. This way of designing allows for a non-linear path in creation. in other words, the discoveries made during the process cause the original idea to be rethought, and therefore, cause the final product to evolve to a new state.
i feel i have gained invaluable insight due to this course. i particularly enjoy the dynamic attitude portrayed in the Golden Rectangle project, as well as the simplistic playfulness in the stamps because they are so interesting and fun, but they were created from a thought-out system. it seems that i have never tied “interesting and fun” and “system” together before, but now that i have, i will remember it.
Colophon
Avenir light 15/20, 10/14Wausau Paper
Megan E. Gadient
A R
eflection of Systems